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Local Card Rules

Card games have standardized, international rules that they can developed over decades of play, learning from mistakes. One of the best references for card game rules overall (and a must-have for that bookshelf of any serious card aficionado) will be the Official Rules of Card Games. But occasionally, games build a bit of a local spin – sometimes involving simply a slight opportunity to the principles to allow for local flavor. Here are some of which:

Poque: The Origin of Poker
Did you are aware that poker have their own origins in a game called “poque” that was first played in New Orleans last 1803? This is in accordance with Encyclopedia Brittanica: Apparently it was only later that English settlers started playing the game and adapted it to their own, changing the name to Poker and setting down the rules. From there, we know many variations of poker exist – including 3 card poker, Texas Hold’Em, Pai Gow Poker and more.

Texas Hold’Em: Poker 2.0
Poker underwent an evolution on the poker we realize today, and then spread like wildfire throughout the other United States. Arguably, once it reached Texas it converted into what we know now as Texas Hold’Em Poker, favored by so much modern players. Sources note that Texas Hold’Em arrived at Las Vegas inside 60s using a group of traveling Texans.

Omaha Poker
Of course, that’s its not all. There’s also Omaha poker. According to Omaha Poker Set, “the good reputation for Omaha poker begins in Detroit.”, where it first sprouted inside the seventies as a game called “Twice Three”. This version of poker is instead used four cards as an alternative to five, and in accordance with our source is well-played in the South and Northwest aspects of the US.

Want to know a little more about the ins and outs of betting? Check out Grand National betting tips here.


Chinese Blackjack
Chinese Blackjack can be a spin about the popular card game of Blackjack, also referred to as 21 Point and a lot often encountered in Asia. The rules are pretty much the same as regular old Blackjack, except for that occurrence of what’s known as special hands. Special hands in Chinese Blacjack include ban-ban (ace and ace), ban-luck (an ace and 10, J, Q and K, whereby his bet contrary to the dealer is doubled) reaching fifteen (which is called a “free hand”, and demands a reshuffle if said player requests) and triple-sevens – of course, a particularly lucky way to reach 21.

You can see much more about Chinese Blackjack here. You might’ve also been aware of Spanish 21, which ironically was initially introduced in casinos operating out of Las Vegas, Nevada!

Mau Mau
Mau Mau is really a card game known by many names: In the UK, it’s apparently called Peanuckle – without relation whatsoever on the card game Pinocle! It’s often known as Switch, Neunerln (in Bavaria) so that as Pesten within the Netherlands. The rules are easy: Think of Uno with a regular pack of cards! Players are dealt five cards each, and cards are matched. You can check out the rules or play it free of charge online at GameTwist (not now available) or Gameduell (in Dutch).

Building Better Poker Strategy - Poker Psychology and the Art of Deception
If you have ever sat down at a poker table, one fact must have been abundantly clear - everyone at the table is trying to abscond with your money, and to do so they are trying to trick you. Poker is, as many would attest, a game of skill. In order to be a top earner, or even sufficient, you will have to adapt to the psychology behind the game of poker. Simply knowing which hands win, which hands lose, and how the game flows is simply not enough. You will need to know when and how to psych out your opponents - as well as avoiding them doing the same to you.
For all intents and purposes, we will focus primarily on Texas Hold 'em. As one of the most commonly played types of poker, and indeed the most televised, Texas Hold 'em is the game that many poker fans have turned to. Since Hold 'em is broken down into four rounds of betting, you will have sufficient opportunities to be the puppet master over your opponents, or have the tides turned against you.
Assuming you already understand the basics, let us begin with the pre-flop betting round. Folding weak hands is almost always advisable, depending on your play style. A well rounded, adaptable play style is suggested, though when you first sit at a table it is best to establish one type of play and stick to it religiously. This will allow you to ultimately throw your opponents off guard when you play in a wildly different manner. If you convince your opposition that you only play the best and the brightest hands, they may be more willing to fold under your pressure - even if you have nothing.
In order to sufficiently set a stage, you will have to play the part. If you are a bad liar, you may want to reconsider anything found here in. Bluffing is essential, but only when the time is right. Many top players will say that tight aggressive is the best way to play, and after some experience with this style, you may agree. By playing tight aggressive, you will not be in on many hands, but those in which you are active, you will be playing hard and fast. Pre-flop raises, continuation bets, and similar tactics are common with the tight aggressive player.
This strategy works well against most play types, and can even crush the infamous poker bully if played properly. Once you have established yourself as this sort of player, you can then turn the tides and abuse the psyche of your opposition. If you can thoroughly convince your opposition, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that you are set in your ways, you can abuse their trust and begin to take down more pots. You will not want to bluff on every hand, as they will soon learn that you are being fake, thus making your sound strategy turn trite.
 Knowing When to Hold and When to Fold
If you do begin to use a bluffing strategy, you will have to remember that not every hand can be a winner. If you are trying to bluff, the amount you bet can make or break your return on investment. You will need to spend some chips in order to successfully put off your opponent, but always be wary of the check raise, or indeed any raise. If you are trying to bluff, three to five times the blinds would be a wise bet. If your opponent calls, you may want to fold - especially if you carry no weight, before or after the flop. Knowing when you are beaten is essential, so keep in mind that folding is not always a bad thing. Conversely, you will usually let your opponent know that you were bluffing if you fail to meet their raise. Maintaining an air of carefree arrogance can help, but you will not want to throw away your fortune simply because your pride or fear got the better of you - especially if they are counter bluffing.
Avoiding A Bluff
Since you want to be the puppet master and not the puppet, you will have to learn your opponents. Sitting at the table is simply not enough to learn about the enemy. You must watch your opponent's every move, learning their habits and their flaws. If you can pick up on their distinguishing features, you should be able to avoid the lies they wish to tell at the tables. Over raising and shoving all in are two signs that they either have nothing or a powerful hand, and it can easily be determined which. A high raise from under the gun is typically a solid hand, though the big blind raising after everyone has limped into the pot is a sure sign of a stolen pot. An all in shove with no possibility of a straight or better on the table is also a good sign of a bluff, but as is the converse. If a flush or straight draw is showing, provided it is a middle straight, then there is a good chance your enemy is bluffing.
 Misreads To Avoid
If you think your opponent is working his or her way into your psych, you will have to tread lightly. As a rule of thumb, always calculate the possibilities in the community cards. If the board is showing a flush, you may want to fold that set or two pair you are holding. Pocket aces may be a solid starting hand, but they can be cracked. Your worst enemy? The check raise. Check raising is a tactic that can easily turn the tables against you, and you can always be assured that the cocky grin and the large raise is a sure sign of a solid hand. If you are attempting to bluff it out, you may want to consider folding to the check raise. If your enemy happens to bet pre-flop then fails to make any continuation bets, you may also want to apply pressure.
The fact of the matter is, you can never be certain. Poker psychology is completely dependent on a number of variables, not the least of which is the cards, both apparent or otherwise, as well as the players involved. No tactic will always work, no players will always be the same. Poker is a game of adaptation as much as it is deception, so make yourself flexible. The moment you become a static player is the moment you start to lose.

Baccarat - The High Roller Casino Game
Baccarat is a high roller table game and is deemed as being prestigious in the entire assortment of casino games that are featured online. It is one of the simplest casino games and indeed exciting. Though the mode of playing this casino game is the same all over the world there are a few minor variations that differ from one country to another.
The Baccarat tables are the most distinct and good looking tables that create the perfect ambiance for players worldwide. Now, you do not have to traverse from one place to another witness the state of the art visually appealing Baccarat tables as they are just a mouse click away. The different Baccarat variations are the European, American and Rushmore Baccarat with just slight differences in the betting options.
Baccarat was initially played by the members of the royal class a few centuries ago but now it is accessible to everyone online. It is a game of luck and chance not requiring much intellectual capabilities but learning a few strategies to the game can definitely help you win this royal game. There are many online casinos that have downloadable free software on which you can learn to play this thrilling game or at least learn the strategies and tricks of the game.
Once the player becomes proficient in playing this noble game after a few practice sessions he can be competent to play this game with a few bets. However once you decide on betting, you should be cautious to bet money prudently as stakes are generally high in this high rolling game. Of course many online casinos today offer efficient money management systems that players can use or take advise from to manage their finances.
Baccarat is a game of fun, thrill, excitement and yields good monetary benefits for those who have the good luck charm!

Attributes Of An Online Casino Professional
Professional, a word use to describe someone who is master of something or a person having lot of knowledge in one of the learned professions. In order to become a professional, you have to learn how to understand and adopt different cultures and always willing to learn. A professional also has a clear understanding of something in which he/she is involved. In online gambling world, being a good gambler is not enough, you have to become a professional online casino player that is willing to accommodate uncertainties.
An online casino professional must possess thinking skills. He/she must know how to make strategies and techniques on how to win in every casino games that he/she is playing. Having this kind of skill is an advantage because you have the ability to anticipate the possibilities that makes you think of strategies or game plan before playing.
- Must have a creative mind. After making a game plan or strategies, applying it is a different story. He/she must know how to use his/her game plan in a creative manner that no one could anticipate. Creativity in playing casino games is one way of enjoying your day of entertainment.
- Must be a good learner. In playing online casino games, you cannot deny the fact that you will lose. This is one the most important aspects of being a professional gambler, learning from your mistakes and finding another way on how to win in the next round without rushing anything. A good learner also has the ability to understand the mechanics of the game in a short period of time.
- Must possess self-control. This is also one of the most important things in gambling. There are many gamblers that ended up empty handed because they don't have a self-control while playing. Online casino games are very addictive specially if you have already experienced the excitement and thrill of it. You must have a self control to become an online casino professional.
- Must know how to take risks while gambling. We all know that you are putting yourself in a high risk when you engage yourself in gambling and taking its risks is the only option if you want to experience the excitement. But you can minimize the risks of gambling by playing in a wise manner.
- Considers gambling as part of entertainment and not his/her means of living. Online gambling was designed only for entertainment. It is very important to know that gambling will ruin your life if you make this as your means of living. The only benefit that you can get when you gamble is that you experience its thrill and excitement.
- Knows his/her limitations in gambling. Knowing your limitations before gambling is a big part of being responsible. You are able to avoid conflicts if know your limitations before playing online casino games.
These are some attributes of an online casino professional and having this attributes will avoid conflicts for us to enjoy online gambling.

History of Casino Baccarat
Baccarat, it sounds a bit posh and so it looks as you walk into any casino. The Baccarat tables are often a bit late and the players are usually tip-top dressed. Online the game is much more popular than offline.
Maybe that's because online players can skip all the fuss and just to the core of the game can penetrate. The game itself is very easy to play. The best cards are the 8 and 9, the so-called "naturals".
You bet on the player or the dealer. As one of the two an 8 or 9 will immediately end the practice. Otherwise they get a card and whoever is closest to the ends 9 wins. If online Baccarat August 1 or September 1 is drawn, see it as a "natural" and the game ended. If no naturals are pulled, get player and dealer another card, and the one closest to "9" will win. It is good to use to alternate between one and another. This is where your intuition can bring in money. Not always hold onto one of the two!
The famous Baccarat player of our time is a British spy named James Bond. In many films, we find this charming salon hero in a casino at the baccarat tables. Since then he measures his happiness down to the opponent or a new tumble stove-pipes on, but what in the script.
Everyone is always in tuxedo (males) or evening wear (the females). That has always been so, for Baccarat was played since the Middle Ages. Probably first in Italy and later to other European royal courts, where a lot of goods. Baccarat is in any case an Italian word meaning "zero", the value of the card 10 and the illustrations.
Although in its nature a simple game and a pure luck game, it lends itself to bold bets. Probably many a noble piece of land lost or gained at the table. The game is timeless and proven to survive at all now be played online. The rules are very simple, but you also become familiar with the various protocols. If you like our rules on hand manages itself, but also the online casinos give them good explanation.

Baccarat Basics
Baccarat is one of the most popular card game which is found in casinos worldwide, with its own playing area in the casinos. Baccarat as an online casino game is also still popular at most online casino websites. The game is played similarly both on online and brick and mortar casinos. It is usually played by two persons, and casino customers can bet on three options: the "Banker", the "Player", and the "Tie", which is checked by a croupier.
Baccarat Objective
The winner of a single deal is determined by the values of the two players' hands. In order to win, the hand value must be as close to 9 as possible. If you have a value of 9, then the only option is either to win or tie.
A hand value can be obtained by adding the values of all the cards in hand modulo 10 (the commonly used operator for modulo is %). This means that after adding the values, the result is divided by 10 and then the remainder will be the result. For example, 8 + 6 = 14, and 14 % 10 = 4 (if we divide 14 by 10, the answer is 1 with a remainder of 4). This also means that the tens digit is dropped, leaving only the ones digit. Therefore, the highest value which can be obtained is 9, and the lowest is zero which is termed as "baccarat". Oddly enough, the game is named after the worst value of a hand.
How to Play Baccarat
Here is the most common way on how to play the game. Cards 2 to 9 have values according to their numbers. Cards 10 and the face cards (J, Q, K) are all worth zero, while an Ace card is equivalent to 1. A hand can only have two or three cards. For example, a hand consisting of 6 and an Ace is equivalent to 7 (6 + 1 = 7). A hand with 3, 9, and 5 has a value of 7 (3 + 9 + 5 = 17, 17 % 10 = 7). These two hands have similar values.
The banker will deal one face-down card to the player, then one to himself, then another one to the player, and then another one to himself, resulting to both of them having two cards each. Depending on the value of their hands, each of them can either draw an additional card or stand pat. Basically, the player can draw an additional card if his initial hand value is 5 or less. If the initial value is 6 or 7, then he makes a stand. If either one or both of them have a hand value of 8 or 9 on the initial deal, then no further cards are drawn. This situation is called "natural".
Baccarat Betting Options
Players other than the ones playing as "banker" and "player" can also place their bets. The options are "Banker", "Player", and "Tie".
The term "banker" does not refer to the one who deals the cards nor the house. It is the situation in which the one who deals the cards wins. Even payout, or 1:1 is applied if this situation wins. However, there is a 5% deduction for the house commission.
The term "player" is not the player who plays against the dealer but the situation in which he wins against the dealer. Even payout is also applied for those who win this bet.
The term "tie", as it suggest, is a situation when both have the same amount of card value at the end of the deal. If this situation wins, then the bettors are paid at 8:1 ratio.
Baccarat Banker Strategy
Playing Baccarat mostly requires luck. When you are at the player position, you should definitely draw a card if your hand has an initial value of 5 or lower. If it is 6 or 7, then make a stand. However, this doesn't guarantee your win though. But when you are playing as the banker, then strategy is required in order to win. Here are some pointers depending on the situation of the opposing player:
-- The player did not draw a card - stand if his hand value is 6 or 7, or draw if it is 5 or lower
-- The player drew a 2 or 3 - stand if his hand value is 5 to 7, or draw if it is 4 or lower
-- The player drew a 4 or 5 - stand if his hand value is 6 or 7, or draw if it is 5 or lower
-- The player drew a 6 or 7 - stand if his hand value is 7, or draw if it is 6 or lower
-- The player drew an 8 - stand if his hand value is from 3 to 7, and draw if it is 2 or lower
-- The player drew an ace, 9, 10, or any face-card - stand if his hand value is from 4 to 7, or draw if it is 3 or lower
Baccarat Variations
* The one discussed above applies to the Punto Banco, or the North American Baccarat variation. Punto refers to the Player and Banco refers to the Banker. Bettors will declare "Punto" if they are betting on the player, and will declare "Banco" if they are betting on the banker. The term applied for a tie is "Egalatie". This is also termed as the "regular" baccarat. Most online casino baccarat applies this variation.
* Mini Baccarat is a variation which is played on a smaller table, the size of a Blackjack table. Up to seven players can play against a croupier who also acts as the banker. Regular baccarat tables has three dealers who take the bets to ensure that the rules are followed. The betting limits are lower in this variation.
* Chemin-de-fer is a French version. Its rules are almost the same as the regular baccarat, except when the player acting as the Banker loses a hand, the next player will become the banker. This continues on and the state of the "Banker" travels around the table, similar to a train running on a railroad, which suggest the name of the variation. Chemin-de-fer means "railroad" in French.
* Baccarat en Banque is another French variation. Unlike in the regular variation, a player is dealt with two hands, and the bettors are allowed to choose from the two hands on where to place their bet. However, they can't place their bet on the banker. Another difference is that only the casino can handle the position of the banker.
* Private Baccarat is a variation in which the banker has the option to deal the player with either one or two hands. The player will decide whether he will be dealt with one hand, like in regular baccarat, or he can play two hands. If the player chooses two hands, this is termed as a cheval, and he must win both hands in order to win the deal. If he can only win one of the two, then it is a tie.
* Super Pan Nine is a variation in which all the cards with values of 7, 8, 9, and 10 are removed from the deck. Both the banker and the player are dealt with 3 cards each. Either of them can make a choice whether to draw an additional 4th card or to stand with just the 3 cards. It is common that they will draw a 4th card if the initial hand value is 4 or lower.
Baccarat is used on so many popular culture. Did you know that the first version of the James Bond movie Casino Royale in 1967 features the game Baccarat? It is only replaced by Texas Hold'em poker in the recent 2006 movie version because of the currently great popularity of Texas Hold'em at the time of filming. In the film Rush Hour 3, Detective James Carter (portrayed by Chris Tucker) attempts to play baccarat in a casino in Paris, but he mistook the card game to be a Blackjack game. The dealer warns him that the game is Baccarat when he asks for a third card. Later on Carter got a hand with three Kings and he cheers happily because he again mistook the rules to be of poker. The value of his hand only evaluates to zero, which causes him to lose.
Baccarat is a very exciting game, and the rules are simple and easy to remember. You must be lucky enough to obtain the lucky 9 and win the deal.